Social Science

The Northwest Difference

A comprehensive degree in Social Science at Northwest prepares students to teach history, geography, economics, political science/government and behavioral science in secondary education (high school). This major must be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science in Education to align with Missouri teacher certification standards. A minor is not required as social science is considered a comprehensive major. Recent Northwest graduates have obtained teacher positions in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, yet the particular certification for each state varies. Students learn the content of history, geography, economics, political science/government and behavioral sciences while also gaining understanding of the techniques of the teaching profession. This includes classroom management, lesson planning, special education, technology for classrooms and other related skills.

Career Opportunities

99%
placement rate

99% of students graduating with a degree in social science either continued their education or found employment within six months after graduation.

The following is a listing of common positions for graduates with a social science major:

Profession-Based Learning Experiences

Student Teaching is a semester long placement in K-12 during their senior year. Students observe teachers and professionals, prepare lesson plans and teach consecutive lessons.

Practicum courses are “clinical hours” in K-12 schools where students observe, teach and assist the teacher. Northwest students begin their first practicum courses their freshman year.

Study Abroad is an opportunity for students to apply hands-on international experience to their own academic development. Faculty members provide short-term study programs that prepare students before, during and after the program. Two types of study abroad programs are available, Faculty-led and traditional study abroad.

Each year, faculty-led study abroad is an option available to students who prefer to study abroad for two to four weeks with teaching by Northwest faculty members. In prior years, students have traveled to England, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

The traditional program can be a semester, summer or year-long program and is taught by Northwest’s international partner institutions.

Student Organizations

The History Club serves to further student engagement with history and historic preservation as well as to foster a deeper engagement with the past. Participants take field trips to historic sites and activities and engage in a variety of community service activities.

The Northwest Difference

Founded in 1905, Northwest is a traditional campus with more than 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in the middle of everywhere, Maryville is two hours from Omaha, Nebraska and Kansas City, Missouri and 2 ½ hours from Des Moines, Iowa.